Assessment of toxicity of heavy metal contaminated soils by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure

The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in soils near a lead–zinc mine located in Shangyu, Zhejiang Province, China, were determined and their toxicity was assessed using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The TCLP method is a currently recognized international method for evaluation of heavy metal pollution in soils. The available levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were 8.2–36, 23–143, 6.4–1367 and 0.41–2.2 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, while the international standards were 15, 25, 5 and 0.5 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Soils around the mine were more polluted with Zn and Pb, followed by Cd and Cu. Moreover, the levels of heavy metals in the soils extracted by TCLP indicated that extraction fluid 2 was more effective than extraction fluid 1 in extracting the heavy metals from the polluted soils and there was a positive correlation between fluids 1 and 2. Available heavy metal contents determined by TCLP were correlated with soil total heavy metal contents.     

Biosorbents for solid-phase extraction of toxic elements in waters

Some trace metals are highly toxic for the environment. There is therefore a need for reliable methods for the determination of metals at trace levels. To this end, new sample pretreatment methods such as separation, preconcentration and speciation prior to the determination of metal ions have developed rapidly. Biosorption has become a major tool for solid-phase extraction methods. This review covers selected biosorbents such as algae, bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts, as new sorbents used in the solid-phase extraction of metal ions from various water sample matrices. A survey of the literature over 2004-2014 shows possible applications of selected new sorbents available for use in trace metal analysis in waters using solidphase extraction. We highlight the preconcentration of the toxic elements prior to their determination by atomic spectrometry.     

基于土壤酶总体活性评价铅锌尾矿砂坍塌区土壤重金属污染

为探讨利用土壤酶总体活性表征铅锌尾矿砂造成的土壤重金属污染程度,本文对阳朔思的村水稻田、柑橘园和玉米地土壤中铅、锌、铜、镉的有效态质量分数以及参与土壤碳、氮、磷循环的纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶、蛋白酶和酸性磷酸酶活性进行了测定。结果表明：供试土壤中镉、铅、锌的有效态质量分数（分别为2.39-4.42、173.71-221.66、140.11-244.10 mg＆#183; kg-1）均高于其全量在GB15618-1995《土壤环境质量标准》中的Ⅱ级标准,分别是Ⅱ级标准值的9.56-14.73、2.18-2.77、0.77-1.22倍,并且土壤中有效态镉带来的潜在生态风险最高。为进一步评价铅锌尾矿砂给不同土地利用类型土壤带来的生态环境风险,在对土壤重金属有效态质量分数进行归一化处理后,发现土壤重金属污染程度从高到低依次为水稻田、柑橘园、玉米地。由于土壤中的重金属复合污染物铅、锌、铜、镉对土壤酶活性的影响既有抑制作用,又有激活作用,因此不同土地利用类型下的单一土壤酶活性状态与土壤所遭受的重金属污染程度呈现出不一致的变化规律。而以土壤总体酶活性指数对各样本进行分类,发现水稻田、柑橘园、玉米地的土壤总体酶活性指数分别为4.345、5.153、5.502,其结果与以重金属有效态归一化处理之后获得的综合污染指数划分结果呈反比,从而说明利用土壤总体酶活性指数来表征不同土地利用类型下的土壤重金属综合污染状况是切实有效的。     

Chemistry and adsorption-desorption properties of manganese oxides deposited in Forehill Water Treatment Plant,Grampian, Scotland

Manganese oxide coatings on sand particles within filtration beds from a water treatment plant in Grampian, Scotland were examined to determine their control on metal mobility. This study first sought to characterise the oxides, notably their mineralogy and metal content, to provide a foundation for studies on the adsorption of dissolved metals from the treated water by the oxides. The oxides were examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). These techniques showed the oxide coatings were amorphous but uniformly distributed over each sand grain. The oxides were selectively removed from the sand grains prior to analysis by AAS using a hydroxylamine hydrochloride selective leaching method. The compositional range of the extracts was 100–150 mg L⁻¹ Mn; 30–55 mg L⁻¹ Fe; 17–56 mg L⁻¹ Ca; 4.6–7.0 mg L⁻¹ Ni; 4.6–6.8 mg L⁻¹ Zn and 1.3–5.7 mg L⁻¹ Mg. When these results are expressed as mg of metal per mg of Mn, the metal content of the oxides is remarkably uniform: 0.25–0.37 mg Fe; 0.14–0.35 mg Ca; 0.035–0.042 mg Ni; 0.035–0.040 mg Zn; 0.01–0.04 mg Mg. The greatest metal concentrations were consistently found in the upper 3 cm of the filtration bed, and these decrease with increasing depth. After the beds are cleaned a more uniform distribution of metals occurs throughout the bed. The metals taken up by the manganese coating are retained over a wide pH range with the exception of Ca and Mg which desorb to a significant extent. The percentage of calcium and magnesium lost from the coating ranges from 30–94%, the amount being dependent on the final pH of the solution. The presence of manganese oxide in the filtration beds appears to be advantageous in terms of removal of transition metals from the treated water.     

Historical trends of trace metals in a sediment core from a contaminated tidal salt marsh in San Francisco Bay

Sedimentation of metals preserves historical records of contaminant input from local and regional sources, and measurement of metals in sediment cores can provide information for reconstruction of historical changes in regional water and sediment quality. Sediment core was collected from Stege Marsh located in central San Francisco Bay (California, USA) to investigate the historical input of trace metals. Aluminum-normalized enrichment factors indicate that inputs from anthropogenic sources were predominant over natural input for Ag, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Among these, lead was the most anthropogenically impacted metal with enrichment factors ranging from 32 to 108. Depth profiles and coefficients of variation show that As, Cd, and Se were also influenced by anthropogenic input. The levels of these anthropogenically impacted metals decline gradually towards the surface due to regulation of the use of leaded gasoline, municipal and industrial wastewater discharge control, and closure of point sources on the upland of Stege Marsh. Although trace metal contamination is expected to be continuously declining, the rates of decline have slowed down. For lead, it is estimated to take 44, 82, and 153 years to decrease to probable effects level (112 μg/g), the San Francisco Bay ambient surface sediment level (43.2 μg/g), and the local baseline levels (5 μg/g), respectively. Some metals in surface sediments (0–6 cm) are still higher than sediment quality guidelines such as the probable effects level. To further facilitate the recovery of sediment quality, more efficient management plans need to be developed and implemented to control trace metals from non-point sources such as stormwater runoff.     

Chemical speciation and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in volcanic rocks of Southern Qinghai,China

ABSTRACT

Seven volcanic rocks samples were collected from Southern Qinghai to analyze chemical speciation and migration behavior of heavy metals by sequential chemical extraction procedure and column leaching test. The geo-accumulation index, ecological risk index and the risk assessment code were applied to assess the heavy metal pollution and potential environmental effects in this area. Results revealed that the total concentrations of heavy metals did not exceed the background values in soil of this area. Most of the samples produced acid rock drainage. The order of heavy metal migration and transformation sequence in the volcanic rocks of Zhiduo region was Cd?>?Pb?>?As?=?Cu?=?Zn?=?Mn based on the geo-accumulation index and Cd caused heavy pollution, which was also confirmed by the leaching test. Moderate potential ecological risk posed by heavy metals occurred in the study area based on the potential ecological risk index. Cd contributed to most of ecological risk while the remaining heavy metals (except As) exerted medium to high risks to the environment according to the risk assessment code evaluation results. In summary, volcanic rocks possessed potential risks to the surroundings due to potential release of heavy metals. Cd that caused the pollution should be paid special attention.     

PM10中重金属的提取方法及生物可利用性研究

分别运用模拟生物提取法与化学连续提取法对PM10标准参考样品城市源（NIST-1648A）和工业源（BCR-038）中6种重金属（Cd、Co、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb）质量分数及赋存形态进行分析。其目标是验证2种提取大气固体颗粒物中重金属方法的有效性,并比较2种方法的优缺点,为将来提取PM10中重金属的方法选取提供依据。模拟生物提取法中,使用Gamble溶液模拟人体肺液对 PM10样品进行溶解,实验方法操作较为简单快捷;化学连续提取法中,不同溶解步骤则可确定重金属的不同赋存形态。在需要快速确定 PM10中某种重金属总量时,应优先使用模拟生物提取法。化学连续提取结果表明,城市源PM10中重金属赋存形态分布没有统一规律,工业源PM10中重金属多以残渣态存在。通过对2种来源的PM10样品中重金属生物可利用性分析,城市源的大气颗粒物对人体的毒性更大,其中标准参考样品城市源 PM10中生物可利用性较高的是重金属Cd（BIBio为61.65%±3.45%;BISE为69.02%±3.82%）和Cu,最低的是重金属Co和Pb;标准参考样品工业源PM10中重金属的生物可利用性最高的是Cd（BIBio为27.66%±1.52%;BISE为15.05%±2.13%）,而Ni、Co和Pb的生物可利用性较低。     

Evaluation of dilute hydrochloric acid and acid ammonium oxalate as extractants for some heavy metals from Nile River sediments

The suitability of a 0.5 M HCl solution for extraction of Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn from Nile River sediments was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of conventional acid ammonium oxalate (Tamm's solution) and aqua regia extraction solutions. The present study has shown that although the extraction data indicate that both 0.5 M HCl and acid ammonium oxalate solutions are able to extract heavy metals simultaneously from the adsorbed, organic, and precipitated phases of Nile sediments, the 0.5 M HCl solution is preferred. It provides a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive method of measuring environmentally mobile metal concentrations in the aquatic sediments. From an analytical chemistry point of view, the 0.5 M HCl extracts do not clog the atomizer of the spectrophotometer. Extraction with dilute HCl solution obviates the need to use chemicals, some of which are toxic or not available readily as a high-purity grade. A standard extraction method should be relatively simple, to conduct a routine analysis of large numbers of sediment samples, yet at the same time it should provide sufficient information for assessment of the environmental impact of particulate metals. Therefore, extraction with 0.5 M HCl solution is very suitable for heavy-metal pollution monitoring in the Nile River     

In situ removal of arsenic from groundwater by using permeable reactive barriers of organic matter/limestone/zero-valent iron mixtures

In this study, two mixtures of municipal compost, limestone and, optionally, zero-valent iron were assessed in two column experiments on acid mine treatment. The effluent solution was systematically analysed throughout the experiment and precipitates from both columns were withdrawn for scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry analysis and, from the column containing zero-valent iron, solid digestion and sequential extraction analysis. The results showed that waters were cleaned of arsenic, metals and acidity, but chemical and morphological analysis suggested that metal removal was not due predominantly to biogenic sulphide generation but to pH increase, i.e. metal (oxy)hydroxide and carbonate precipitation. Retained arsenic and metal removal were clearly associated to co-precipitation with and/or sorption on iron and aluminum (oxy)hydroxides. An improvement on the arsenic removal efficiency was achieved when the filling mixture contained zero-valent iron. Values of arsenic concentrations were then always below 10 μg/L.     

Non-toxic,high selectivity process for the extraction of precious metals from waste printed circuit boards

● Au, Ag and Pd were recovered from WPCBs with high efficiencies. ● Au leaching is strictly dependent on WPCB size and reagent concentration. ● High Ag extraction efficiencies are achieved regardless of the WPCB size. ● Pd leaching works better with small and medium WPCB sizes. ● The leaching results suggest the possibility of selective recovery of metals. The work presented here focused on the extraction of gold (Au), silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) from electronic waste using a solution of ammonium thiosulfate. Thiosulfate was used as a valid alternative to cyanide for precious metal extractions, due to its non-toxicity and high selectivity. The interactions between sodium thiosulfate, total ammonia/ammonium, precious metal concentrations and the particle size of the waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) were studied by the response surface methodology (RSM) and the principal component analysis (PCA) to maximize precious metal mobilization. Au extraction reached a high efficiency with a granulometry of less than 0.25 mm, but the consumption of reagents was high. On the other hand, Ag extraction depended neither on thiosulfate/ammonia concentration nor granulometry of WPCBs and it showed efficiency of 90% also with the biggest particle size (0.50 < Ø < 1.00 mm). Pd extraction, similarly to Au, showed the best efficiency with the smallest and the medium WPCB sizes, but required less reagents compared to Au. The results showed that precious metal leaching is a complex process (mainly for Au, which requires more severe conditions in order to achieve high extraction efficiencies) correlated with reagent concentrations, precious metal concentrations and WPCB particle sizes. These results have great potentiality, suggesting the possibility of a more selective recovery of precious metals based on the different granulometry of the WPCBs. Furthermore, the high extraction efficiencies obtained for all the metals bode well in the perspective of large-scale applications.     

Investigation and risk assessment modeling of As and other heavy metals contamination around five abandoned metal mines in Korea

Tailings, agricultural soils, vegetables and groundwater samples were collected from abandoned metal mines (Duckum, Dongil, Dongjung, Myoungbong and Songchun mines) in Korea. Total concentrations of arsenic (As) and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were analyzed to investigate the contamination level. Several digestion methods (Toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP), synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP), 0.1 N/1 N HCl) and sequential extraction analysis for mine tailings were conducted to examine the potential leachability of As and heavy metals from the tailings. The order of urgent remediation for the studied mines based on the risk assessment and remedial goals was suggested. The Songchun mine tailings were most severely contaminated by As and heavy metals. Total concentrations of As and Pb in the tailings were 38,600–58,700 mg/kg (av. 47,400 mg/kg) and 11,800–16,800 mg/kg (av. 14,600 mg/kg), respectively. Agricultural soils having high As concentrations were found at the all mines. Average concentrations of Cd in the vegetables exceeded the normal value at all mines areas, while As only at the Dongjung, Myoungbong, and Songchun mine area. One groundwater sample each from the Dongil and Myoungbong mines, and 4 groundwater samples from the Songchun mine had values above 10 μg/L of As concentration. The TCLP method revealed that only Pb in the Songchun tailings, 6.49 mg/L, exceeded the regulatory level (5 mg/L). Employing the 1-N HCl digestion method, the concentration of As in the Songchun mine tailings, 4,250 mg/kg, was up to 3,000 times higher than its Korean countermeasure standard. Results from the sequential extraction of As in the tailings showed that the easily releasable fraction in the Myoungbong and Songchun mine tailings was more than 30% and the residual fraction was less than 40%. Based on results showing the exposure health risk employing the hazard quotient and cancer risk of As, Cd and Zn, the Dongil mine needs the most urgent remedial action. The concentration reduction factor (CRF) of As in both soil and groundwater follows the order: Songchun>Dongjung>Dongil>Myoungbong>Duckum mine.     

Speciation of heavy metals in sediments from the Scheldt estuary,Belgium

A simple three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to study the speciation of heavy metals in sediment from Scheldt estuary, and their relationship to sediment grain size and organic matter content. The sedimentary metal content was fractionated into carbonate and exchangeable, metals bound to organic matter and residual fractions. Sedimentary total metal content was also determined using an industrial microwave (ETHOS 900) HF/HNO₃ extraction method. The extracts were analysed for metals using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The bioavailable fraction (exchangeable and metals bound to organic matter) comprised less than the other forms. Residue metals were the dominant form of metals in almost all studied sites. The average total metal content for the studied sites decreased in the order Fe>Cr>Cu>Co>Zn>Pb>Cd. Based on average values for the studied sites, the highest bioavailable metals in sediments were Cd (38%) from Westkapelle, Zn (17%) from Yerseke, Co (12%) from Domburg, Cr (9%) from Vlissingen, Fe and Pb each (2%) from Yerseke, and Cu (1%) from Domburg. Metal recovery was good, with<10% difference between the total metal recovered through the extractant steps and the total metal determined using HF/HNO₃ extract.     

典型铜尾矿库周边土壤重金属复合污染特征

应用了Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法、相关分析法、主成分分析法对德兴铜矿尾砂库周边土壤Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr和Cd复合污染特征进行研究,定量确定了铜尾矿库潜在生态风险程度、主要污染因子和潜在生态风险因子。结果表明：铜矿尾矿库周边土壤受到不同程度的重金属污染,该地区平均潜在生态风险污染指数超过600,具有极高的潜在生态风险;各重金属潜在生态风险参数由高至低顺序为Cd、Cu、Pb、Ni、Cr、Zn,其中Cd为主要潜在生态风险因子。进一步通过主成分分析法研究了重金属的污染特性,发现前3个主成分贡献率分别为：65．033％、18．825％、6．243％,第一主成分反映了Zn、Ni、cr的信息,第二主成分反映了Cu和Cd的信息,第三主成分反映Pb的信息。     

Use of a physiologically based extraction test to estimate the human bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in urban soils from the city of Glasgow,UK

A simple, two-stage, physiologically based extraction has been applied to assess the human bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in 20 urban soils from a major UK city. Chromium and iron bioaccessibilities were found to be markedly higher in the intestinal phase, whilst lead and zinc bioaccessibilities were higher in the stomach. Copper and manganese bioaccessibilities were generally similar under both extraction conditions. Principal component analysis was used to study relationships amongst bioaccessible element concentrations and land use. Distinctions could be observed between the distributions of the urban metals—copper, lead and zinc—and metals predominantly of geogenic origin, such as iron. There was no clear delineation between roadside soils and soils obtained from public parks. Bioaccessible analyte concentrations were found to be correlated with pseudototal (aqua regia soluble) analyte concentrations for all elements except iron. Results of the BCR sequential extraction did not, in general, provide a good indication of human bioaccessibility. Comparison of bioaccessible PTE concentrations with toxicological data indicated that lead is the element of greatest concern in these soils but that levels are unlikely to pose a health risk to children with average soil intake.     

Ecotoxicological responses to chalcopyrite exposure in a proxy for deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp: implications for seafloor massive sulphide mining

Deep-sea mineral prospecting has raised concerns regarding potential ecotoxicological impacts of deep-sea mineral extraction. Although metal mineral phases are predicted to exhibit low bioavailability, few data explore the relative toxicity of mineral phases and dissolved constituent metals. Acute 96?h chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) (<250?µm grain size) exposures using the shallow-water ecophysiological model organism Palaemon varians as an ecotoxicological proxy for deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp revealed no effect in both lethal and sublethal assays up to 2.888?g?L^?1, suggesting that chalcopyrite is not bioavailable. Deep-sea species, therefore, appear at greater ecotoxicological risk from dissolved metals during seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) mining. Consequently, an approach combining modelling the release, and spatial and temporal dilution of dissolved metals during SMS mining, with data on sublethal effects of dissolved metals on shallow-water proxies, may best constrain the potential ecotoxicological impacts of SMS mining, and deliver ecotoxicological threshold concentrations for active SMS extraction.     

The Sagamu cement factory,SW Nigeria: Is the dust generated a potential health hazard?

The aim of this study was to assess the heavy metal content of the dust generated by the Sagamu cement factory and its attendant health hazards on the immediate environment, especially on the inhabitants of the area. A total of 25 samples were collected and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Records of medical ailments associated with heavy metal toxicity were also compiled from the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital situated in the town.The results for some of the selected heavy metals showed the following pattern: limestone: Cd (n.d.-1.7 ppm), Pb (42–48 ppm), Cu (3.0–11 ppm), Zn (7.0–53 ppm) and Ni (3.0–8.0 ppm); shale: Cd (0.3–1.1 ppm), Pb (17–22 ppm), Cu (2.0–11 ppm), Zn (17–147 ppm) and Ni (3.0–18 ppm); dusts: Cd (0.5–0.7 ppm), Pb (32–52 ppm), Cu (2–16 ppm), Zn (5–152 ppm) and Ni (2–17 ppm); soils: Cd (0.5–1.1 ppm), Pb (28–49 ppm), Cu (22–35 ppm), Zn (43–69 ppm) and Ni (13.0–17 ppm). High levels of heavy metals were found in the rocks and soils. We propose that the high levels of metals in the dust and soil were acquired from the raw materials used by the cement factory and from active industrial discharge from this same factory. Medical records and the current health situation of the local residents in the study area reveal that there have been increases in the prevalence of diseases linked to heavy metal toxicity in the environment, especially those related to dust generation.     

汀江某河段底泥中重金属含量的测定及生态风险评价

采用ICP-MS法测定汀江某河段底泥样品中重金属的含量,了解该地区13种元素的分布特征,通过地积累指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对底泥重金属污染进行综合评价.结果表明,用ICP-MS测定重金属快速、简便、结果准确,地积累指数法得出13种元素污染程度由强至弱依次为Cd>Cu>As>Se>U>Co=Zn>Pb>Mn>Th>Ni=Tl>Cr,生态危害指数法得出6种重金属对样品所在区域造成的潜在生态危害,由强到弱依次为Cd>Cu>As>Pb>Zn>Cr,Cd、Cu和As为该地区的主要污染因子.其中3#点位RI值为1283,提示生态危害程度很强、污染程度最高,2#点位其次,1#点位也存在一定污染.     

乐安江沉积物酸碱特性及其对重金属释放特性的影响

本文对乐安江沉积物样品的金属总量、酸碱特性进行了测定和不同pH条件下金属的释放实验.结果表明,乐安江沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd和As的浓度均高于一般水体沉积物的本底值.从重金属的移动性分析,存在沉积物重金属对水体产生二次污染的可能.沉积物所含重金属随pH变化产生的金属释放顺序是Zn>Cu>Cd.Pb.     

Human bioaccessibility of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in urban soils from the city of Torino, Italy

Several physiologically based extraction procedures have been proposed to estimate the fraction of the potentially toxic element content that would be bioaccessible in the human gastro-intestinal tract following accidental ingestion of soil. Many of these procedures are complex, they have been applied to a very limited range of soils, and most work has focussed on arsenic and lead. In the present study, a simplified, two-stage extraction, simulating the human stomach and intestine, was developed and applied to urban soil samples from ten public-access areas in the City of Torino, Italy. The human oral bioaccessibility of chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc was estimated. Lead and zinc bioaccessibilities were found to be higher in the stomach, but chromium was more bioaccessible in the intestine. Analyte concentrations were higher in roadside soils than in soils from parks. A higher proportion of the soil metal content was found in bioaccessible forms at roadsides than in parks. Comparison of the current findings with results of earlier work involving sequential extraction of the same soils indicated that the sequential procedure gave a relative, but not an absolute, indication of bioaccessibility. Calculations based on the bioaccessible analyte concentrations suggest that ingestion of only 2–3 g of some of the roadside soil samples from Torino could deliver the tolerable daily oral intake of chromium, nickel and lead to a 20-kg child. The developed procedure is useful for preliminary screening of soils and prediction of whether their bioaccessible metal contents are likely to pose a risk to human health.     

Seasonal AVS–SEM relationship in sediments and potential bioavailability of metals in industrialized estuary, southeastern Brazil

In anoxic sediments, as those found in estuaries, the mobility of metals can be controlled by the formation of stable sulfide complexes. The potential bioavailability of a metal can then be predicted on the basis of the acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) criterion. Distributions of AVS and SEM (Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni) along the sediment profiles were determined seasonally for three rivers that constitute the Santos-Cubat?o estuarine system (SE Brazil), which is located in one of the most industrialized areas of Latin America. AVS and SEM concentrations varied significantly, from 0.04 to 31.9 μmol g⁻¹ and 0.086–6.659 μmol g⁻¹, respectively. The highest AVS levels in sediments were detected in the winter, whereas high SEM values predominated in the summer. Considering SEM–AVS molar differences as a parameter to evaluate potential bioavailability, sediments nearest to the industrial area represent higher risk to biota, especially during the summer. It is due to relatively low AVS values and not necessarily high concentrations of metals.